People’s Action candidates and agenda win last night! Setting the stage for a big 2020.

Last night was big!

While there were very important high profile victories in the Kentucky Governor race and the Virginia statehouse last night, it is worth highlighting some amazing members of People’s Action affiliates who also won yesterday. These leaders are committed to co-governing with our organizations to help make our agenda a reality.

These victories should inspire our movement nationally and here in Wisconsin. We at Citizen Action remain committed to continue our organizing to find new member leaders who are willing to run for office in 2020 and beyond to help change our communities, state, and country.

Arizona

• Regina Romero, who has committed to co-governing with People’s Action affiliate LUCHA, was elected as Tucson’s first Latina mayor! She won in a landslide victory! “I’m still savoring the historic community-led victories of last night,” said Alejandra Gomez, executive director of LUCHA. “LUCHA is so proud to have been part of the collective that supported Regina.” Romero ran on a bold agenda to battle climate change, reform criminal justice and improve education and economic inclusion in Tucson. LUCHA worked tirelessly to turn out the vote for Romero.” Read more.

Maine

• Safiya Khalid became the first Somali American elected to Lewiston’s city council, with support from the Maine People’s Alliance

Massachusetts

• Neighbor to Neighbor Action Fund (N2N) is celebrating the victory of member Victor Davila, who won a Springfield city council seat by 39 votes!

Minnesota 

• Long-time Take Action MN leader Kissy Coakley, who was a leader in their campaign against Target to Ban the Box, was elected as the first African-American woman to serve on the Minnetonka City Council. “Kissy wants to take what makes Minnetonka a safe, supportive, and thriving community and make it accessible to everyone, “ said Elianne Farhat, executive director of TAMN.“As a leader at TakeAction Minnesota, Kissy has been a champion for criminal justice reform measures—including taking on Target Corporation to change their hiring practices,” Farhat said. “She will bring that same determination and vision to City Council—and will listen and lead with the people to make sure everyone in Minnetonka can live full, joyful lives.”
• Nelsie Yang, a TakeAction Minnesota organizer, will become the youngest member of the Saint Paul City Council ever! She is also the first ever Hmong woman council member. Read more about Nelsie

Michigan

• In Kalamazoo, Michigan People’s Campaign leader Patrese Griffin won her election to Kalamazoo City Council. She was selected by the Kalamazoo City Commission to fill a vacant seat earlier this year, and last night’s vote validates her bold leadership with the voices of the community she represents.

Missouri

• In St. Louis, Rasheen Aldridge – a former leadership team member of Missouri Jobs With Justice who was active in the Ferguson protests, served as a member of the Ferguson Commission and fought to raise the minimum wage, will be joining the Missouri state legislature as a State Representative for the 78th District.

New York

• Omari Shakur won a seat on the City Council in Newberg, NY. Omari is now the first formerly incarcerated council member in the city. Over the past year, Shakur has been actively working with Mayor Torrance Harvey and Councilman Anthony Grice, who won reelection, to hold landlords accountable. Their victories, which were won in a coordinated effort by CVH, the Working Families Party and Democratic Party, solidify a strong council to fight for rent control, local hiring and housing ordinances, as they give the coalition four of seven seats on the council.
• Jumaane Williams, who spoke at the People’s Action’s Convention in Washington, D.C. in April, was re-elected as Public Advocate in NYC.  NYTimes Article

Pennsylvania

• Kendra Brooks won a seat on Philadelphia City Council running as a 3rd party candidate on the Working Families Party ticket!

Thanks to People’s Action’s Laurel Wales for contributing to this story.